The Arkansas Department of Health is recruiting volunteers who can help with statewide emergency response activities, including current and future vaccination efforts for emerging infectious diseases. If you have a background as a health care provider or nurse, your experience can be matched with a relevant volunteer opportunity. Volunteers are also needed in non-medical roles, so please consider volunteering regardless of your previous experience. Follow the instructions below to register, or email adh.volunteer@arkansas.gov for more information.

ADH Volunteer Programs

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Volunteer Program offers individuals, community groups, or youth an opportunity to SERV Arkansas. The volunteer time towards public health outreach provides an invaluable service to the health and welfare of Arkansas citizens.

Please join us in educating and protecting you and your community. SERV Arkansas!

System of Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV)

System of Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV) is a registry system that preregisters and credentials volunteers prior to their deployment response to natural or man-made disasters, public health outreach campaigns, or emergencies.

AR SERV is a sponsored function of the ADH that is administered by the Office of Preparedness and Emergency Response Systems (OPERS). This office surveys and monitors the community’s public health while also assisting with family reunification needs.
Please consider the following prior to making the decision to serve:

• Your information will be kept secure and will only be shared with approved ADH personnel, volunteer program affiliates, and emergency management officials during disaster response and non-emergency public health events and activities.
• When a disaster response is activated, details about your role and responsibilities, along with situational or “Just in Time” training, will be given to you as soon as possible.
• As a volunteer, you have the right to say “yes” or “no” to any request sent to you. You also have the right to decide on the distance you are willing to travel, as well as the length of time you are willing to serve.   
• You may be asked to volunteer for public health outreach activities such as mass flu clinics, COVID-related educational interventions, or call center staffing, etc.

Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) – Arkansas

The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of locally grouped volunteers organized to improve and sustain the public health and safety of their communities through collaborative partnerships with local health units and offices of emergency management. The Medical Reserve Corp (MRC) program, established in 2002, is a volunteer-based coordination that identifies, trains, and organizes medical and public health professionals, as well as lay volunteers (non-medical). Volunteers of MRCs help supplement and support response efforts during emergencies, medical personnel issues, and public health outreach. MRCs are made up of diverse and collective groups of people who are compassionate about the well-being of others, those close to them, and their communities. Volunteering with MRC shows a willingness to harness an internal passion to serve in a role that prepares for and responds to public health emergencies and promotes healthy living in their communities. 

Arkansas has a history of natural disasters, and the impact of local and global public health emergencies remains a growing threat. During these events, local MRC units have provided valuable support to the surrounding communities. The ADH coordinates this effort and is available to provide guidance on the establishment of units, sustainability tools, and applicable training to interested persons. 

MRC Unit members are registered in SERV, the Arkansas Department of Health’s volunteer registry.

If you are interested in forming or joining an MRC Unit, please locate your nearest MRC Unit and review the unit registration requirements via Medical Reserve Corps, then contact the Volunteer Program Manager.

To register, follow the steps below:

1. Register and complete the “Create a New User” page and the “Volunteer Registration” page once you sign in to SERV.
2. Select one of the MRC Unit options and the distance to which you are willing to be deployed.
3. Fill out the Volunteer Information Packet and send it to ADH.Volunteer@arkansas.gov to complete the registration process. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of volunteering in public health?

Your talents or work experiences will be highly appreciated. Training for public health impacts or local emergencies or disasters will provide an additional resource in community resiliency efforts.

Is there training provided?

Yes, ADH offers emergency preparedness and response mission or task-specific training to an ADH Volunteer.

What can I do in an ADH volunteer role?

The following jobs or activities are some of the diverse roles in that you as a unit member or SERV volunteer, can best fill:

• Community Event Support                                                                      
• Planning, Logistical & Administrative Support            
• Child Care Assistance                                                             
• Community Outreach                                                             
• First Aid at Large Public Events                                        
• Veterinary Support & Pet Preparedness 
• Ambassadors to Underserved or Vulnerable Citizens
• Medical Consultants   
• Health Education and Promotion
• Emergency Shelter Support 
• Youth Engagement
• Radiological Emergency Response (Population Monitoring)

Contact Information

Office of Preparedness and Emergency Response Systems
Phone: 501-661-2940
adh.volunteer@arkansas.gov

Makayla Tedford
makayla.tedford@arkansas.gov
ADH Volunteer Program Manager